Not content with scrapping it out for Harry Maguire, Man City and Manchester United are now reportedly in a ‘transfer battle’ for Hoffenheim teenage midfielder Ilay Elmkies.
Both Manchester clubs are constantly on the look out to bring some of the world's best talent to the club before they truly establish themselves in the game.
The Sun reports that both clubs want 19-year-old Elmkies, who is said to be attracting interest from several Premier League clubs.
He has been dubbed the 'next Thiago Alcantara,' who played under Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich and it's claimed that ‘Pep’s coaches at the Etihad want the teenager at the Etihad Stadium.’
Elmkies is reported to have impressed City when he scored against them in the UEFA Youth League last season, as the German side won the game 5-2 while United are said to be interested too.
Meanwhile, Italian journalist Gianluca di Marzio has reported that the transfer of Joao Cancelo from Juventus to Man City is ‘stalling.’
City are said to want to strengthen in the right-back position even though Kyle Walker recently extended his contract until 2024.
It’s reported that the reason is because City are ‘insisting on adding Danilo to the deal’ for the right-back but the Italian champions do ‘not seem convinced.’
Finally, United are 'willing to stretch their initial valuation' in order to sign Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff.
After securing the signing of number one priority Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will now turn his attention to strengthening his midfield following the departure of Ander Herrera.
Magpies youngster Longstaff is on United's short-list and the Metro newspaper says that United willing to pay £30million rather than £25million 'to get a deal done swiftly.'
